Greek shipowners have boosted orders for tankers, taking advantage of the momentum given to them by their high liquidity, as well as the strong contacts they have built over decades with Asian shipbuilding groups.
According to Xclusiv’s report, Greek shipowners have 285 tankers under construction, i.e. 24% of the global orderbook, a percentage that makes them by far the market leaders.
Laskaridis Shipping
Laskaridis Shipping, owned by Panos Laskaridis, has reportedly struck a deal to acquire a contract to build a product tanker in China.
The 50,000 dwt vessel is under construction at Changhong Shipyard. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in mid-2026.
Laskaridis’ company has reportedly acquired two more shipbuilding contracts from the same company.
It should be noted that Laskaridis’ shipping group specializes in the management of bulk carriers and reefer ships, but is now also opening up to the tanker market.
The first investments in the tanker sector were initially made in the second-hand market.
Alimia Group
But also Alimia Group, owned by Thanasis Laskaridis, is expanding further into the tanker market, having now placed orders for super tankers (VLCCs).
Specifically, the group, which focused on bulk carriers with a series of shipbuildings in previous years on behalf of Laskaridis Shipping, after making an initial opening in the tanker market with an aframax, has gradually expanded its program.
In 2023, it ordered an LR2 product carrier at the Yangzijiang Shipbuilding shipyard with delivery in January 2026, while in 2024 it agreed to build five MR2 product carriers at Penglai Zhongbai Jinglu Ship Industry.
Now it is Hengli Shipbuilding’s turn, which will build two VLCCs on behalf of Laskaridis’ group. The first ship will be delivered within the next year and the second in the first quarter of 2027.
Thenamaris
Thenamaris, according to sources, has placed an order for two Suezmax tankers, with a capacity of 158,000 dwt, with a total value of approximately 162 million dollars, in China.
The ships will be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and are expected to be delivered in early 2028.
It is noted that Thenamaris maintains a long-term relationship with SWS, from which it received six LR2 tankers in 2024.
Thenamaris, which has a diversified fleet of tankers, bulkers, containerships and LNG carriers, is also renewing its fleet in parallel with the new investments, since, as reported by shipping brokerage sources, last week it sold an older Suezmax, built in 2007.
It is noted that the company proceeded to order Suezmax tankers after 2015, when it had built two in South Korea.
JHI Steamship
However, JHI Steamship has also moved forward with new tanker construction.
According to information, the company is in negotiations for the construction of up to three aframaxes at a shipyard in South Korea.
Source: Naftemporiki